I don’t even know where to begin about K and Q Bardic, yesterday. Parts of it were a blur, however, I cannot express how much my community means to me. I suppose I will start at the very beginning. I hear it’s a good place to start.
This is my 3rd year competing in K and Q Bardic. I never try to say ” I am going to win”, instead, I set smaller goals and achievements. It makes everything less stressful.
The evening before I stayed at the home of the amazing Sarah Byrd. She, as the day I met her 2 years prior, was full of kindness, warmth and a immense hospitality. I was unaware she had any staff duties at the event, meaning her hospitality was even more elevated.
The next morning I was fed and coffee’d… as Bards typically do -not- wake up before 11. It’s cruel and unusual punishment. This was heaven in a cup and plate. Sarah, Aegir and I dressed and walked the long and rigorous 4 block walk to site. We were greeted on our way by planned parenthood supporters (while we were in full garb), and wished them well as they stood for hours, in the cold, defending what they believed in. They asked where we were off too and we explained we had a competition just up the road. They cheered us on and off we went.
At site, we have a super secret delivery to a vigil and made that first priority before getting in the correct head space for the day. I talk about head space because as a performer, if you do not connect with yourself in the appropriate way for the day, it could cause your performance to suffer. I originally had a plan to perform “Twa Corbies” the Scottish “parody” of Three Ravens by Thomas Ravenscroft. However, I was unable to find detailed enough documentation to make it fit the day. So, with that said, 2 weeks prior to the competition, I decided to change it out for a much newer piece in my repertoire. I changed the piece to Depairt, Depairt, by Alexander Scott (See below for documentation). It took a while to settle in to my body. This was not my original piece and I was have problems coming to terms with it. However, over the two weeks I took to focus on it, I felt it in my soul.
Round 1) I was the 4th performer to go (out of 19). I do not envy anyone who has to go early in the rounds. It can be very unnerving. I was however blessed to follow two story tellers and a song that was very different from my own style. This allowed me to set the stage for my own unique performance style. I opened up and out it came. I have no regrets starting with that piece. I only regret not singing out as much, but perhaps that is what allowed me to really open up. I sat the rest of the time, listening to each performer with their own unique performance. I was moved by several. When the round was over, I went to almost every single performer and presented them with my token and a genuine compliment. If you had read my last post, I have made it my mission to become more open about telling people about the talents they posses and not addressing anything negative at any point. I wanted people to enjoy their day as much as possible.
Between rounds I was introduced to a newer performer in the area who had won the novice day prize. I spoke with her at lengths about her passions and listened to what she had to share. I offered any assistance I could and encouraged her to come out to the event next weekend, which would be a friendly performance space. She also had mentioned she wanted to complete but was intimidated by not having enough rep. My friend and I both reassured her she should compete and if she needed help, we would help her find some.
I have made it to round two every year so far. This was good news. The competition for round 1 was super fierce. When I heard my name called I was relieved that I could at the very least continue this tradition. I went second in round 2. Again, I don’t really like going to close to beginning, but with the field narrowed down to 9, I wouldn’t have too much of a choice. I had a piece that Aegir and I really enjoy singing together and in the car. It’s a Ladino piece called “La Prima Vez”. (More on Ladino below) It is possibly period, however, because Ladino was only prominently around for such a short period of time, we cannot document that this piece was indeed period. It’s pretty enough and the emotion is universal. At some point during the performance, the lights went out for a few short moments. I don’t recall it much as I was in the midst of performance, but I don’t remember even hearing a gasp. The lights went back on and I was still going.
Round two was probably the best I have ever seen in my performance career in the SCA. I took my time afterwords trying to re hydrate (Just in case). I spent the time between the announcements speaking with fellow friends and mentors. Speaking to my fellow performers and sharing our experiences today. Planning more shenanigans in the future. No matter the outcome today, more music to come!!!
The finals: I was surrounded by my family! My friend, Phillipe who I had met the year prior, who inspires me with his flare for the dramatics, his composition and his genuine kindness. Margretta (I can’t make the symbol to spell her name correctly… I guess I’ll figure it out eventually) who is my big sister. I wear her apprentice belt from Sabine. She is amazing in everything she does. She is dedicated to the music and the panache it deserves. She is who I aspire to be when I grow up! And finally Laila, new friend who I just met at Coronation of Wilhlem and Vienna. She met making music. We have connected and have been working on an opera company together. We have been planning to make more music. THIS IS MY FAMILY. There is no losing no matter what.
For the finals, we were challenged two fold. 1) To compliment the person who would be performing after you. This was no challenge, because I love all these people dearly. 2) To perform a piece that embodies kindness.
I didn’t hesitate more than a moment before picking my piece. I walked over to my Laurel and I showed her what I wanted to do. She agreed full heartily to it and so I ran into the hall for my “10 minute” prep time. (I think it ran longer, but i’m not complaining)
Hokay! I was going first. I spoke about Phillipe and then I revealed…. THE PIECE. About a year ago I composed a lullaby for Matilde. I spoke of the event that had sparked it. Though I was not close with her, I was moved by her kindness and selflessness she gave to the kingdom. I saw her having a rough time (while I was surfing the Visage of Tomes //Facebook) and when I got home from work, I wrote it down, recorded it and sent it to her. I generally do not share pieces I’ve composed in public. It’s a piece of my soul and if it got damaged I don’t know what I would do. I write for people often, but it’s for them in their private moments. I sang it with all my heart. I sang it for a crowded room. I didn’t cry… then, but inside I wept because I shared my soul. This song is posted to my blog, but I suspect not a lot of folks actually read it.
It was decision making time and I didn’t care. We made music and reveled. We sang rounds and songs. We heard others play. My heart sang. I won the day. I was making music with old friends and new.
Court came. I was not announced the winner. That’s ok. I WON. My FAMILY was standing as champions. They are MY champions. They have always been my champions. Baldric or not. I love them. I screamed as they were announced. I cheered as they were addressed.
Not long after they had been announced, her Majesty, Vienna was announcing that she had been inspired by two other individuals in round 2. Myself and my brother, Phillipe. We were awarded a very rarely given award know as the Golden Lyre. (About the Golden Lyre below)
I sat down to enjoy the rest of court. I was reveling again in the day. Surrounded by my community. The Bardic community. However, I was called into court for one more piece of business. The EKCoP (East Kingdom College of Performers) announced a new travel journal to be passed around. This journal is to document someone who inspired you that day (and a few more details). It is to be passed on to them at that event and taken home to the next event. Today, it was presented to me.
Also, throughout the event, I was presented these tokens by the populace for my performances. I added these into my “I guess I don’t suck” box. I keep every single token I’ve ever received as a way to remember on those days when the worms get to me that I am not as terrible as my brain tells me. HAND OUT TOKENS. GIVE COMPLIMENTS. These could help motivate and save your friends or strangers.
This was my 3rd year. You bet you will see me next year. Until then, I have won the day. I hope everyone else won theirs too!
Depairt, Depairt
- Alexander Scott (16th-century poet) (c. 1520–1582/83), Scottish poet. Scottish lyricist who is regarded as one of the last of the makaris (or poets) of the 16th century, because of his skill in handling the old Scottish metrical forms. His 35 extant poems are contained in the Bannatyne Manuscript (1568).
- This was composed in Courtly verse in the grand manner. Poetry in this manner comprises several elaborate dream-allegories more or less saturated with classical, as well as, rather more incidentally and cursorily, scriptural, allusion somewhat simpler love-allegories and dream-visions and debates, grandiose panegyrics and lament. Almost all of this is in more or less elaborate Chaucerian stanzas, mostly of seven, eight or nine lines of inter-rhyming pentameter lines. Set pieces in the courtly manner are also prefaced or appended to, or introduced into, works mainly in the narrative and didactic modes – as more or less conventional and pretentious prologues and prohemes, and conventional panegyrics and hymns, and some ‘complaynts’ or laments.
Depairt, depairt, (depart)*
Allace, I most depairte (Alas)
From her that hes my hairt (heart)
With hairt full soir (sore)
Aganis my will in deid (indeed)
And can find no remeid, (remedy)
I wait the panis of deid (pains of death)
Can do no moir. (more)
Adew sueit thing (Adieu sweet)
My joy and comforting,
My mirth and sollesing (delight)
Of erdly gloir: (earthly glory)
Fair weill, my lady bricht (bright)
And my remembrance rycht, (rich)
Fair weill and haif gud nycht, (have good night)
I say no moir.
Daiches, D. (1982), Literature and Gentility in Scotland, The University Press, Edinburgh
Smith, George Gregory (1911). “Scott, Alexander” . Encyclopædia Britannica. 24 (11th ed.). p. 468.
Cranstou, James (1897). “Scott, Alexander (1525-1584), poet” . Dictionary of National Biography.
About Ladino:
Ladino is very nearly extinct in many of these areas. A very archaic form of Castillian Spanish mixed somewhat with Hebrew elements (as well as Aramaic, Arabic, Turkish, Greek, French, Bulgarian, and Italian), Ladino originated in Spain and was carried to its present speech areas by the descendants of the Spanish jews who were expelled from Spain after 1492.
About the golden Lyre:
Given to an individual or group whose single work or performance, either displayed publicly or in an arts & sciences display at a Royal Progress, in The Crown’s sole opinion and discretion, manifests and represents the fire and passion of the East Kingdom arts. The basis for bestowing the Award of the Golden Lyre will rely on the artistic use of period mediums, creativity, and/or inspirational value of the work or performance. The work or performance may be a work in progress. Documentation is not required, but is highly recommended. Individuals/groups can receive the award more than once during a reign, but not for the same work or performance. The Award of the Golden Lyre may be awarded by the King or Queen, together or individually.
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 